The "Living Proof" weekend retreats, so named because we are "living proof" that you can live long-term with HIV, start on Friday evenings, with people arriving between 4.00pm and 5.45pm, which is when the weekends officially start. The Opening Circle, as its name suggests, opens the weekend, gives time for introductions and house rules, and allows the facilitators and therapists to introduce themselves.

After dinner on Friday, we run a Getting to Know You session. This is an opportunity for those taking part to get together in small groups to discuss reasons for attending, and what they hope to gain from the weekend. It is an ideal opportunity for those on their first weekend to get to know people a little better.

During Saturday and continuing on Sunday morning, we run discussion groups, one open and one closed. The open groups have a variable membership, you can attend as many or as few of the one hour discussion sessions as you chose. The closed group forms on Saturday morning and commits to working together as the same group throughout the weekend. The closed group suits those who perhaps take time to build up confidence in those present before feeling able to share their own experiences and concerns. The open group is more fluid given its changing membership throughout the weekend. However, the differences between the two groups has become more blurred in recent times, and both groups explore deeply personal issues with great sensitivity.

There is also the option of a complementary therapy session during the weekend. We usually have three or four complementary therapists at each weekend who offer a range of therapies.

While the programme offers some structure to the weekend, many of those attending find that they get the most support by being able to talk informally over meals, in the bar or, when the weather is good, in the gardens.